Toshiba: How Carbon Capture Tech is Helping Green Energy

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation has recently signed an agreement with PLN Nusantara Power (PLN-NP), a part of Indonesia’s state electricity company, to introduce CO2 capture technology to thermal power plants in the country. This will help reduce carbon emissions and both companies will continue to explore the use of small and large-scale carbon capture systems in the coming years.

In 2022, over 80% of Indonesia's electricity came from thermal power plants. Since these plants contribute to global warming, it’s important to find strategies and solutions that reduce their environmental impact. The Indonesian government aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and is looking to low-carbon technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) to help meet this goal.

Carbon Neutrality in Indonesia 

Takehiko Matsushita, Vice President of the Power Systems Division at Toshiba, said “I’m delighted to have signed this MOU with PLN Nusantara Power. It allows us to make full use of Toshiba's knowledge of CCS technology and the network we have built up in Indonesia, and of the operational expertise that PLN-NP has cultivated in operating its fleet of thermal power plants. I am confident that our application of CCS technology to the plants will contribute to Indonesia's realisation of its carbon neutrality goals.”

The partnership between Toshiba and PLN-NP will explore using CCS technology at PLN-NP's power stations, such as the Paiton Unit 1 and 2 Power Station, which already uses Toshiba's steam turbines and generators.

Although CCS technology uses energy, Toshiba plans to reduce this impact by using its experience in power generation and carbon capture technology. They will work with PLN-NP engineers, using data from existing power plants, to assess the feasibility of CCS technology. Toshiba will also help train PLN-NP staff to operate this new equipment.

Toshiba has been involved in Indonesia’s energy sector since 1981, providing steam turbines for thermal and geothermal power plants, as well as hydro turbines for hydroelectric power plants.

What is Post Combustion CO2 Capture Technology?

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) is a method used to capture and store CO2 emissions from sources like thermal power plants, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere.

Toshiba ESS uses a post-combustion capture technology that works by chemically absorbing CO2 from the flue gas produced by power plants. The process happens in two main steps: in the absorber tower, special chemicals capture CO2 from the gas at a specific temperature, and in the stripper tower, the CO2 is released at a different temperature. This allows for continuous separation of CO2 from the gas.

This technology can be used not only in coal-fired power plants but also in plants powered by oil, gas, gas combined cycle, and biomass. It can be applied to both new plants and existing ones. Additionally, the amount of CO2 that needs to be captured can be adjusted based on the specific needs of the plant, making this technology flexible for different industries and markets.

Carbon Capture System at Tokyo Gas 

Toshiba has previously installed a carbon capture system at Tokyo Gas’ Senju Techno Station in Tokyo. This system, which starts operating in March 2024, captures CO2 from the gas emissions of a cogeneration system.

The technology uses an amine-based solvent that absorbs CO2 at low temperatures and releases it at high temperatures. The system is compact, portable, and can capture up to 10 kilograms of CO2 daily.

Due to the growing demand for small-scale carbon capture systems, Toshiba has standardised the equipment to make it more efficient and quicker to deliver. This system for Tokyo Gas is Toshiba’s first standardised model.

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